American Samoa’s flag was proudly displayed at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games by the two athletes competing on the world stage, swimmer Micah Masei and runner Filomenaleonisa Iakopo.
For the first time ever, the opening ceremony did not take place in a stadium. Instead, about 10,500 athletes sailed in a 3.5 mile flotilla of 94 boats down the Seine River.
Also on American Samoa’s boat were Chef de Mission Joseph Ioane, Swimming Coach Cassandra Bess Lund and Priscilla Iakopo, Filomenaleonisa’s mother and coach.
Also in Paris are the President of the American Samoa National Olympics Committee Ed Imo and General Secretary Ethan Lake. Micah will compete in the 100 meter breaststroke on Day 1 of the games.
ABC Australia reported that the rain didn’t deter the smiles and enthusiasm of the Pacific contingents at the Olympics: Fiji, Guam, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia and other nations.
Sadly, it was reported that the boxing coach of the Samoan Olympics team, Lionel Fatu Elika passed away the morning of Friday, July 26 at the Games Village,
Samoa NOC President Paua Talalaleiei Punga said in a press statement that “Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympics.”
“Our thoughts and those of the entire Samoan sporting community are with Lionel’s family, his boxers, and friends. He will be greatly missed.”
President Pauga and NOC Secretary General Maureen Tuimalealiifano met with the Samoa delegation in the afternoon for a briefing and team prayer to reassure them ahead of the opening ceremony in Paris.
The Samoa NOC would not make any further statements on the matter.
